Satele wins job

Raiders center Samson Satele lost the starting competition to Chris Morris in training camp. The job is now his even when the rest of the Raiders’ offensive line gets healthy.

Raiders coach Tom Cable said as much when asked what happens when left guard Robert Gallery comes back from a broken leg. Morris moved to left guard when Gallery was hurt in Week 2, allowing Satele to start at center.

Now it’s Morris who will go to the bench when Gallery returns, possibly as soon as next week against the Chiefs.

Cable said Satele’s body of work trumps Morris’ and that he has bounced back strong after missing so much offseason time because of shoulder surgery. Satele is also doing much better making line calls and working the zone-blocking scheme.

“It’s my job to lose,” Satele said.

Other notes from today’s light practice …

** Could he really be back this time? Wide receiver Chaz Schilens practiced in 50 to 75 percent of practice Wednesday, which means he is running again after suffering a two-week setback.

He has been out 11 weeks since foot surgery in training camp.

Starting running back Darren McFadden practiced just as much, four weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery. Cable said he hasn’t decided if McFadden will start when he returns.

** Cable gave himself a “C+ at best” for his work in a 2-6 start

“I’m not an excuse guy but I think not having enough people healthy on offense has really hindered us,” Cable said. “I think I have to take responsibility of being 2-6, so that’s the bottom line.”

** Rookie Darrius Heyward-Bey said he sees improvement eight weeks and five catches into his rookie season.

Asked if the low stats frustrate him, DHB said, “It’s just frustrating when we lose. Point blank, end of story. … I didn’t come in thinking no crazy numbers or anything. I just want to help this team win. We’ve only won two so I’m not helping.”

** Defensive end Greg Ellis had his knee scoped Wednesday. There is no timetable for his return, but if a young McFadden took four weeks going on five, his 34-year-old body won’t do any better.